Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Professor gets mixed feedback

Mohsin, Basit back Hafeez for long-term captaincy, Sallu feels Afridi should replace him.

KARACHI:

Former coach and chief selector Mohsin Khan has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be ‘more consistent’ when it comes to the appointment of a captain after the team drew the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lost the opening match with a number of tactics by newly appointed Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez questioned. However, the tourists bounced back in the second game and Mohsin felt that Hafeez should be given a longer run to let him settle into the new role.

“There was no need to remove Misbahul Haq [from captaincy] with the World Twenty20 so close,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “But if his removal was inevitable, then Shahid Afridi was the best choice as he is vastly experienced. However, if Hafeez has been handed the responsibility then he should be given the job until the World Twenty20.

“Hafeez looked very confused and that affected his individual performance. When you hand captaincy to someone for just two games, something like this is bound to happen.”

Mohsin added that confidence should be instilled in the leader with the mega event in September in mind.

“The PCB should name the captain immediately and if it wants a change, the decision should be taken now. But I believe Hafeez should continue.”

Meanwhile, the former opener added that the revamped batting order failed to live up to the requirements.

“We sent a debutant [Shakeel Ansar] at number three in the presence of experienced players and in the next match he did not get to bat. Such flaws do not only affect the team’s performance but also damage a new player’s confidence.”

Afridi still the best choice: Salahuddin

Meanwhile, former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed termed the overall performance satisfactory but called for changes ahead of the World Twenty20.

“It wasn’t an extraordinary performance and we need a lot of hard work, we have to improve our middle-order batting,” said Sallu before giving a thumbs down to Hafeez’s captaincy.  “He made many mistakes. Sending a debutant [Ansar] early was a big mistake and he did not use Afridi properly in the first match.

“Hafeez is a good cricketer but he’s not ready for captaincy. Since the World Twenty20 is close, Afridi who is a proven captain, should be handed the job now.”

Give Hafeez time: Basit

However, former cricketer Basit Ali said that there was a lot to learn from the series, while some players came through with a good performance.

“[Mohammad] Sami and Sohail Tanvir were impressive. But choosing Ansar over Kamran Akmal is a mistake. It is very hard for a tall wicket-keeper to do well.”

However, Basit added Hafeez should be given more time to adjust. “It is a changed set-up with a new coach and captain. We shouldn’t expect too much and should support the new captain as overall the results are satisfactory.”

Basit Ali

“It’s a changed set-up with a new coach and a new captain. We shouldn’t expect too much and should support the new captain as the results overall have been satisfactory.”

 Salahuddin Ahmed

“Hafeez did not use Afridi properly in the first match. He’s a good cricketer but he’s not ready for captaincy. Since the World Twenty20 is close, Afridi should be handed the job.”

Tanvir retained for ODIs

Pakistan have added Sohail Tanvir to their One-Day International squad after the left-arm paceman excelled in the Twenty20s. The 27-year-old fast-bowler failed to make the cut earlier but was included at the request of the team management after being named man of the series in the two Twenty20s. Tanvir replaces opener Nasir Jamshed who was earlier ruled out due to injury.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2012.